Luxury All-Inclusive Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs and GRSE Waterfall

The best part of this six-hour catamaran cruise is its easy mix of scenery and downtime. You glide out from Trou d’Eau Douce, pause at the GRSE Waterfall where fresh water meets the Indian Ocean, then spend about two hours on Ile aux Cerfs. It is a simple day at sea, with the main decisions left to you.

I like the open bar and BBQ lunch, since you are not watching the clock or adding up every drink. I also like having snorkeling equipment included, plus the choice of a quiet beach stay or more active options such as parasailing and a tube ride.

The main consideration is transport. Private transportation is not included, so you must reach the Debarcadere at Trou d’Eau Douce yourself. The island stop is also fairly short, making this a good taste of Ile aux Cerfs rather than a full-day beach escape.

Key points at a glance

• GRSE Waterfall meets the sea: A quick 10-minute stop gives you a look at one of Mauritius’s distinctive coastal sights.
• Two hours at Ile aux Cerfs: Use the time for swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, or optional watersports.
• Drinks and lunch are covered: Mauritian beer, rum, coconut water, bottled water, soft drinks, coffee, tea, snacks, and lunch are included.
• Snorkeling equipment is provided: You do not need to arrange gear separately for the included snorkeling activity.
• A small maximum group of 25: This is more manageable than a large boat outing, though it is still a shared cruise.
• Same place for departure and return: Meet at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs point at the Trou d’Eau Douce Debarcadere.

Setting out from Trou d’Eau Douce at 9:00 am

Your day begins at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, on Mauritius’s east coast. The meeting point and return point are the same: Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs. That makes the basic plan easy to understand, but you will need to arrange your own way there because private transportation is not part of the package.

The 9:00 am start is useful for making the most of the morning and reaching the coast before the day feels too far along. You should allow enough time to find the embarkation point at the Debarcadere, since the experience starts there rather than at your hotel.

The boat holds a maximum of 25 people. That is not a private charter, but it keeps the group from becoming especially large. You can expect a social outing, with shared seating and shared time at the stops, rather than a custom sailing trip built around your own schedule.

The appeal of a catamaran is the pace. You get open water, fresh air, and views of the Mauritian coast without having to move between several separate activities by road. The ride itself is part of the day, not just a way to reach the island.

The short stop at GRSE Waterfall

The first listed stop is Grande Riviere Sud Est, usually shortened to GRSE. Here, a waterfall reaches the Indian Ocean. You have about 10 minutes at this stop, so think of it as a quick sighting and photo opportunity rather than a long visit.

That short timing is worth keeping in mind. The waterfall gives the cruise a point of interest beyond beach time, but you will not have a long walk, extended swim, or slow exploration here based on the schedule. The stop is valuable because it breaks up the journey and lets you see a notable meeting of river and sea.

If your priority is photographing the waterfall, have your camera ready before the boat reaches the viewing area. With only 10 minutes, there is little room to search for equipment or decide what to do once you arrive.

This stop also helps explain the shape of the day. The cruise is not designed as a single long beach transfer. It gives you a quick natural sight, followed by the longer Ile aux Cerfs visit, then returns you to Trou d’Eau Douce.

Two hours on Ile aux Cerfs

Ile aux Cerfs is the main stop, with roughly two hours set aside for the island. This is where you choose the rhythm of the afternoon. You can relax on the white sand, swim in the turquoise water, use the provided snorkeling equipment, or look into activities such as parasailing and a tube ride.

I like this flexibility because it works for mixed groups. One person can spend the time in the water while another sits with a coconut or simply enjoys the beach. You are not required to join a structured activity, and the island stop does not force everyone into the same plan.

The tradeoff is time. Two hours is enough for a swim and some time on the sand, but it can pass quickly if you want to snorkel, eat lunch, try a watersport, and settle into a lounger. If you plan to do parasailing or a tube ride, ask about timing and any separate charge as soon as you reach the island. The supplied details identify those activities as options, but they do not state that they are included in the basic price.

The island is best approached as one part of a full cruise day, not as a stand-alone beach resort visit. You will have a pleasant window to enjoy the water and sand, but not unlimited time to explore every corner or fit in every activity.

What the all-inclusive price actually covers

At $111.02 per person, the price is easiest to judge by looking at what you would otherwise need to arrange separately. The fare includes alcoholic drinks, bottled water, coffee or tea, soft drinks, snacks, lunch, and snorkeling equipment. The overview also identifies the meal as a BBQ lunch, with Mauritian beer, rum, and coconut water available on board.

That combination gives the price a practical advantage. You do not need to carry a lunch budget for the boat, pay separately for ordinary drinks, or rent snorkeling equipment for the included snorkeling opportunity. The open bar also means you can settle into the day without treating every refreshment as an extra purchase.

Still, all-inclusive does not mean every possible activity is included. Parasailing and tube riding are presented as things you may try, but the information does not confirm their price. Private transport to Trou d’Eau Douce is also excluded. Add those costs, if needed, before deciding that the posted price is your final total.

For someone who wants a planned half-day on the water, the package is good value. You receive a boat ride, two distinct stops, a meal, drinks, snacks, and snorkeling gear in one booking. If you only want a quiet beach visit and already have transport, food, and drinks arranged, a simpler beach outing could suit you better.

Lunch, drinks, and the relaxed middle of the day

The meal is a BBQ lunch, served as part of the cruise experience rather than as a separate restaurant stop. That matters because you do not have to leave the island search for food or break up your limited beach time to find a meal.

The drink selection gives the day a distinctly Mauritian touch. You can enjoy Mauritian beer, rum, and coconut water, along with bottled water, soda, coffee, and tea. Snacks are included as well. The package is built for a long, easy stretch on the water, where food and drinks are available without extra planning.

You should not read the word luxury as a promise of a private yacht or a silent, tailored sailing. The group can reach up to 25 people, and the experience is shared. Here, luxury means convenience, open-bar service, a planned meal, and a catamaran setting rather than personal butler service or complete privacy.

That distinction helps set expectations. If you want an active social day with food and drinks already handled, the format works well. If you prefer a quiet boat with no group atmosphere, this may feel too organized.

Snorkeling and optional watersports

Snorkeling equipment is included, which removes one common nuisance from a beach-and-boat day. You do not need to arrange your own mask and related gear before setting out. The schedule gives you the chance to use it around Ile aux Cerfs, although the exact snorkeling conditions and location are not specified.

The best approach is to keep your plans flexible. Water conditions and available time can affect how much snorkeling makes sense. You might find that the most enjoyable plan is a quick swim followed by time on the sand, especially if you also want lunch and another activity.

Parasailing and tube riding provide the adrenaline option. They are useful additions for anyone who finds two hours on a beach too passive. At the same time, they are not essential to the cruise, and the supplied information does not say that they are covered by the $111.02 fare. Confirm the cost and availability locally before counting on either activity.

This range of choices makes the cruise suitable for couples, families, and groups with different energy levels. You can take part in the action, use the snorkeling gear, or simply enjoy a drink and the view.

Timing, group size, and the feel of the day

The published duration is about six hours, beginning at 9:00 am. The listed stops account for a 10-minute waterfall visit and about two hours at Ile aux Cerfs. The remaining time is used for boarding, cruising, lunch, and the return to Trou d’Eau Douce.

That structure creates a balanced half-day. You are not spending the entire time sitting on the beach, but you are also not rushing through a long list of inland attractions. The experience stays focused on the water and the east coast.

A maximum of 25 people is a useful middle ground. You get the social feel of a shared boat, but the group is limited enough to avoid the scale of a very large excursion. If you value personal space, remember that this is still not a private cruise.

The same departure and arrival point simplifies the return. You do not need to arrange a different pickup location after the island visit. You do, however, need to plan your arrival at Trou d’Eau Douce and your onward transport after the boat returns.

Who will get the most from this cruise

I would recommend this experience to you if you want Mauritius in an easy, pre-arranged package. It suits anyone who likes the idea of a catamaran ride, a short waterfall stop, a beach break, and lunch with drinks, without having to organize each part independently.

It also suits mixed groups. A relaxed person can swim, sunbathe, or have a coconut, while a more active companion can investigate parasailing or a tube ride. The included snorkeling equipment gives you another low-fuss option.

Families may appreciate the planned route and included food, although the available information does not provide child-specific rules. Couples may like the combination of open water and beach time, but the shared group setting means this is not a private romantic charter.

You may want another option if your main goal is a full day on Ile aux Cerfs. Two hours is enough for a useful visit, but not for a slow, unhurried island day. You may also prefer a different arrangement if you need hotel pickup, want a private boat, or want confirmed inclusion of parasailing and tube riding.

Practical details before you book

The experience is offered by Island Cove Mauritius. Confirmation is received at booking, and most people can participate. The meeting point is Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs at the Trou d’Eau Douce Debarcadere, with the cruise starting and ending there.

The booking price is $111.02 per person. Since private transportation is not included, calculate the cost of getting to the Debarcadere before comparing this with other excursions.

The experience requires good weather. If poor weather causes cancellation, you are offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before departure are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book this Ile aux Cerfs cruise?

Book it if you want a well-organized water day with food, drinks, snorkeling equipment, and two contrasting stops included. The GRSE Waterfall adds a quick sightseeing moment, while Ile aux Cerfs gives you the longer stretch of sand, swimming, and optional watersports.

I would skip it if you want a private cruise, hotel transportation, or a full day devoted to the island. For everyone else, the combination of a 25-person maximum, open bar, BBQ lunch, and flexible two-hour beach stop makes this a practical way to see Mauritius’s east coast without carrying a long list of arrangements.

FAQ

Where does the catamaran cruise start and finish?

The cruise starts and ends at the Blue Alizé Catamaran Ile aux Cerfs meeting point at the Debarcadere in Trou d’Eau Douce, Mauritius.

What time does the cruise begin?

The scheduled start time is 9:00 am.

How long does the experience last?

The cruise lasts approximately six hours.

Is private transportation included?

No. Private transportation is not included, so you must make your own way to the meeting point in Trou d’Eau Douce.

What food and drinks are included?

The fare includes lunch, snacks, alcoholic drinks, bottled water, coffee or tea, and soft drinks. The cruise description identifies the lunch as a BBQ and lists Mauritian beer, rum, and coconut water among the available drinks.

Is snorkeling equipment provided?

Yes. Use of snorkeling equipment is included.

What happens if bad weather cancels the cruise?

If the experience is canceled because of poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund. You can also cancel up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund.